South Korea’s benchmark Kospi extended its winning streak to three sessions on Sept. 22, 2026, gaining 10.19 points, or 0.15%, to close at 7,017.91. The index briefly climbed as high as 7,171.44 after opening more than 2% higher, but individual and institutional investors sold technology heavyweights to secure profits. Samsung Electronics rose 0.91% to 276,500 won, while SK hynix fell 1.5% to 1.84 million won after initially advancing. The gains followed a 2.3% record close for the Nasdaq Composite, alongside advances in the S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average. Daishin Securities analyst Lee Kyung-min said Meta’s MUSE AI agent reaching No. 1 on the U.S. App Store raised expectations for stronger demand for CPUs and servers, improving sentiment toward South Korea’s AI semiconductor value chain. Trading volume was 251.65 million shares worth 22.2 trillion won ($16.3 billion), with decliners outnumbering advancers 462 to 382. Individuals and institutions were net sellers, while foreign investors bought South Korean shares. The won strengthened 72 won from the previous session to 1,358.2 won per dollar, and bond prices rose as yields fell.